| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 28 April 2024 The 5th Sunday of Easter |
 OUR MISSION ACTION PLAN WELCOME Mission Action Plan! Of course everyone needs a ‘plan’, and for us here in Clewer we are encouraged by the Diocese to have a ‘plan’. What is our ‘statement’, what is our purpose, our vision? The PCC have been working together to discern our vision, do we need a new one, or really dig deep and work out what this means for us? Our Mission Statement is: Proclaiming Christ in Clewer. Our Vision Statement is: We are a welcoming church ‘Proclaiming Christ in Clewer’, living, loving, learning faith as disciples of Christ in our community. Our Vision Strategy is: Making connections: we intentionally connect with our community, developing partnerships and making our activities inclusive of all. We bring people together in order to build a stronger community, acting as an agent of connection between different groups. We make the connection between our community and a loving God in and outside of our church building. During this period of Eastertide our readings are about how the new faith community built their lives together, how they reflected on everything Jesus said about sharing the Good News and making new disciples. Philip goes out with courage to make the most of opportunities, to heal and baptise. He finds himself expelled from Jerusalem, yet God gives him a pioneering ministry to proclaim Christ to excluded groups. First, with the Samaritans, then to the Ethiopian eunuch- breaking social norms! Philip taps into signs of a spiritual search in the Ethiopian. We too need to discern signs of God at work, where are we prompted to go? In our mission we listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit, who hovers over the world, bringing people into a love of Christ, empowering us to go out and spread the gospel in both word and deed. In the Gospel reading, Jesus declares, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower”; we are completely and inextricably linked to him, the more we abide in him, the more fruitful we become for Jesus. By allowing ourselves to be pruned back, we become ever more Christ-like, in our inner life and our outer life. Our mission as Christians is rooted in what the world sees of our fruits. This is reflected in our interactions with our community, the world and creation, our worship, our acts of love. Our Living, Loving, Learning. We have been fruitful in our plans! Please take time to visit and read our Mission Action Plan, which will be displayed in church over the next few weeks. Pray about it and discern where God is calling you into action, could you be a ‘church champion’ for a specific area? May we, like Philip, seek God’s guidance, through engaging in God’s mission. Philip was ‘inclusive’, he went to those to whom the spirit called him. Like Philip, we are called to be witnesses, through prayer and through being transformed daily into the image of Christ so that those we encounter may make the connection with a loving God. Blessings for your week Revd Rosie COLLECT Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Acts 8.26-end Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.’ The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God 1 John 4.7-end Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Gospel Reading John 15.1-8 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John . Glory to you, O Lord. ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS Everlasting God, give us the courage of Philip who took the time to share his faith with a curious stranger and remind us of Jesus command to us to “make disciples of all”. Heavenly Father, we in Clewer Parish are the people that were yet unborn when the Psalmist proclaimed “future generations will be told about the Lord.” May we “proclaim His righteousness”, and may our faith be as strong as the Psalmists. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Creator God, we pray for Your world and we long for the time when all the families of the nations will bow down before you and the poor will eat and be satisfied. We pray for world leaders who bear the heavy responsibility of providing for their populations, give them wisdom to know what is right and the courage to make right decisions. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Father God, help us to use our influence to bring peace, joy and fun into people’s lives, instead of stirring up strife. We pray for the thousands of people who visit Windsor each year. May they enjoy themselves and enjoy each other. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Loving God, we bring to you the sufferings of those we hold dear; the struggle of those trying to cope with difficult housing; the pains of the sick both at home, in hospital or care homes; the loneliness of the elderly and the frail. In your great mercy bring them comfort, relief and reassurance that you are always with them in all their troubles. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Merciful God, Your son Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those who have died and pray for all those who are going through the darkness of loss and bereavement. Father, we thank you for the promise of eternal life and the hope of glory and commend to your everlasting love and care those who have died. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer As we go out into the world to face another week help us as we seek to live out our lives according to your son Jesus Christ’s example. Free us from the sins of the world that spoil our life so that our lives may be a living testament to your will, for your world Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen From the Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca POST COMMUNION Eternal God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: grant us to walk in his way, to rejoice in his truth, and to share his risen life; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon from last Sunday. LISTEN NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY The Sunday Evening Service is Evening Prayer. The readings are: Psalm 96 Isaiah 60.1-14 Revelation 3.1-13 SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to 6.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.00pm, Evening Prayer via Zoom Sun 28 Apr 10.30am Parish Eucharist – 5th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 05 May 5.00am Creation Meditation 10.30am All Age Eucharist + Baptism – 6th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Eucharist Thu 09 May 12.00 Ascension Day – Midday Prayers 7.30pm Eucharist for Ascension Day Sun 12 May 10.30am Parish Eucharist – 7th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 19 May 10.30am Parish Eucharist – Pentecost 5.00pm Taize Service at Windsor Methodist Church PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Hugo, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, Christine, Vivienne, the Brocas family, Ishbel, and Jane. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Martin Chandler. All those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: Oliver Those preparing for Confirmation Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley, all the pupils, staff and governors, and the Busy Buttons CORE Charity and for all the work that they do. For all our Care Homes, for the safety of residents and staff. We pray also for Windsor Christian Action, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, FoodShare, and the Alma Beacon Hub. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live in Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Stephensons Drive, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court, and the Boatyard Flats. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of Australia . Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Dunedin (New Zealand), Dunkwa-on-Offin (West Africa), Durgapur (North India), Durham (England), Dutse (Nigeria), and East Kerala (South India).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.  A Celebration of Martin Chandler’s life Funeral service is at St Andrews Church on Monday 29th April 2024 at 1pmParking for St Andrew’s Church is available at Windsor Leisure Centre, Clewer Avenue, Stovell Road Windsor SL4 5JB. See a tribute, with lots of pictures here: https://martinchandler.muchloved.com A Quarter Peal will be rung before the 5.00pm Service at St Andrews this Sunday. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY MyTime 2nd May Coffee at Dorney Court 18th June visit Watlington House, Reading 3rd July Coffee at Fernygrove Farm & Coffee Shop, Hawthorn Hill, Warfield, 7th August Coffee at Café by the Lake, Thames Hospice 4th September Coffee at The Windsor Farm Shop For MyTime events, meet at church at 10am, lifts can be arranged. Coffee and More 14th May at 10am 4th June at 10am 17th September at 10am Churchyard Teas 17th July at 3pm 21st August at 3pm PCC MEETING SUMMARY At last week’s PCC meeting, we discussed two main topics: * Our Mission Action Plan for the Parish – Revd Rosie will be explaining this on Sunday * The APCM on 12 May – preparing for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting    CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Taking place between 12-18 May 2024, Christian Aid Week, is seven days of action. From community events to individual challenges – your way, to fund lasting change.  CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WINDSOR, THY KINGDOM COME / PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY, 09–19 MAY 2024 During these 11 days churches in Windsor are offering various opportunities for us to come together to pray. During these times, and at any other time you are able to, please pray for an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon our churches and communities. ‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.’ 1 Timothy 2.1 Details of Service and Events nearer the time. For more details of Thy Kingdom Come 2024, and to sign up for daily prayer videos during the above dates, visit https://www.thykingdomcome.global/lightuptheworld Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.   FUNDRAISING FOR A NEW SOUND SYSTEM We are raising money to pay for a new sound system for St Andrews, to replace the aging system we use currently.If you can help, please use either: * Our bank account (details below, please use a reference of “Sound System”). * Our Parish Giving page: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/clewer-st-andrew-windsor/ The QR code above goes to the same page Thanks to everyone for all the donations towards the sound system so far, if anyone would like to help with fundraising and events please talk to Revd Rosie.  WINDSOR FOODSHARE Loving our neighbours From their Facebook, Twittter and Website Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk CAN YOU HELP? We are very short of:Full fat UHT MilkTinned PastaTea BagsTinned FruitStrong Carrier BagsWe have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore and also at Waitrose & Partners. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a carton or two in. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon. https://www.forcommongood.co.uk/…/giftr…/registry/215636 https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/23EUESGGRMAVZ… We still ask that any food donations for Windsor Foodshare are dropped into Dedworth Green Baptist church as this will still be our main base. Click here for the Windsor Foodshare April Newsletter CHURCH FINANCES – MESSAGE FROM ANDREW Thank you to everyone for all you have been able to give in this difficult time. We prefer the Parish Giving Scheme, which we promoted in previous years. Details are on our page on their web site: https://bit.ly/2XCLuCr [https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/clewer-st-andrew-windsor/] We also have the printed application forms available in Church, or contact the Parish Office by email office@clewerparish.org Alternatively, by paying directly to our bank account, the details of which are: HSBC Bank Sort Code: 40-47-37 Account number: 11373366 Account name: PCC St Andrews Church or if your bank doesn’t like this Parochial Church Council St Andrews Clewer Parish CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed. email: office@clewerparish.org Revd Rosie 01753 852334 email rector@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Rector: Revd Rosie Webb 01753 852334 rector@clewerparish.org Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |